newsletterIssue No 11 | 2015-16 | Friday 6 May 2016

Follow us on Twitter: @SPFSchools

Dear Parents,

Even so early in the term, the examination season is already under way. The IB students are fully conversant with the mantra of examination instructions they have been receiving since May Bank Holiday, whilst A level examinations also beckon. Our students have worked diligently and must now demonstrate their accomplishments in their chosen disciplines. In many respects, it’s easy and indeed natural, to look at this phase of the academic year as being simply about results. Without question, performing as well as possible is absolutely imperative with excellent results being key to students achieving their goals. Given the nature of competition for the most competitive courses and at the strongest universities, this is a message to reiterate. Even at this stage of the year, the extra hours ploughed into focused revision can and do make a real difference; the margins are small and students are well advised to ensure they commit fully to their examinations.

However, for Lower 6th students, examination preparation must also be balanced with some wider reflection and decision-making. Even though examinations may be looming, they are increasingly weighing up their options for future study. Many will of course be engaging in some serious research as they begin to plan which open days or events to attend either in the summer or in September. Part of that process may include looking at the rankings of differing institutions and courses: in many ways, this is of course a false “beauty contest” and making judgements based on marginal movements in such tables is not to be encouraged. Nevertheless, they may provide some insight, albeit a partial one into changing trends. A recent Times Higher survey, which ranks universities in terms of reputation and perceived status, pointed to the rise of Asian universities with a marked growth in their league table success. The UK, with ten institutions in the top hundred ranks second, only to the US, however, the suggestion that UK institutions would do well not to sit on their laurels may indeed be well-founded.

Whereas ten years ago, very few students would have considered applying to universities outside the UK with the exception of Ivy League institutions in the US, more students today are willing to look much further afield. In recent years, we have had students receiving offers from universities in the USA, Holland, Hong Kong, Germany and France and we expect this trend to continue. After all, there’s a global market for the strongest students and many have a global vision accordingly. As such, a key theme for students in the Lower 6th this term, will be to ask the right questions about their university choices and our University Guidance Event, UCAS Day and Interview Day are all part of that process.

With best wishes,Stuart Jack Head of 6th Form

Utrecht University Library

Princeton University Chapel University of Geneva

be inspired...

newsletterIssue No 11 | 2015-16 | Friday 6 May 2016

Follow us on Twitter: @SPFSchools

Pharmacology Lecture

Students, Dasha and Annie, have written an article about the Modern Poetry in Translation event they, along with other 6th formers, attended at Pembroke College on Saturday 30 April. Here is an excerpt on their account on the day, you can read the rest on the website.

“Fifty years ago in 1965, the poets Ted Hughes and Danny Weissbort started ‘a passionate affair with the outside world’ through their new newspaper featuring English translations of poems by great international poets such as Yehuda Amichai, Miroslav Holub and Czesławn Miłosz. They aimed to collect poems directed at the current problems in the world, as the world of 1965 was a world of ‘enforced diaspora’. Much has changed over the 50 years, the style of the magazine as well as the themes addressed but the main objective of MPT has not changed; to share beautiful poetry from every language in the world. On Saturday MPT held a translation study day, to celebrate the launch of their new website and offer a series of workshops to poets, students and professors alike. In the morning, there was a selection of workshops to choose from on translation, editing and close reading. We first chose the ‘Editing MPT No.1’ workshop with MPT’s current editor, Sasha Dugdale, where we discussed the decisions an editor must make when presenting poetry, and meet the needs of everyone in a diverse audience...”

Modern Poetry in Translation

On Wednesday, science students were treated to a fascinating - and beautiful - lunchtime talk by Dr Rhys Grant from Cambridge University’s Department of Pharmacology. Dr Grant invited the students to stop and think about what is really involved in studying Biology, and the particular challenges of “seeing” inside living cells. He explained and demonstrated how Green Fluorescent Protein is used to investigate both structure and function, and is a key tool in, for example, cancer research. It was particularly exciting that the many stunning still and video images Dr Grant illustrated his talk with included some just about to be published in a scientific paper.

Well done to the Science Society students for organising such a great event.

German Work Experience in MunichThomas, in Lower 6th, tells us about his experience working in Germany.

“In April, German students from both Year 10 and the Lower 6th went on an exchange in Munich. As a 6th former, I spent three days of the trip doing work experience. I worked in a kindergarten, as I couldn’t speak any English there! It was very enjoyable – the children were all lovely and very good fun; as the only man in the nursery, I was like a “magnet” for the boys! Whilst I only spent three days in the kindergarten, it was a fantastic experience and my German improved a tremendous amount from the total immersion. My family was also lovely, and with the youngest child being only 2, I had to speak German at home as well! The exchange was great and I thoroughly recommend it to any Year 9 or 11 students doing German next year. Many thanks to Fr Freeman and Fr Warner for organising such an enjoyable trip!”

Beatrice, in Lower 6th, has also written a short piece about her time in Germany. She wrote it in German so hope you have brushed up on your language skills! In summary, Beatrice worked for a charity, helped in the kitchen to cook for 40 people, helped at breakfast, and helped in the youth centre. Like Thomas, she also recommends this trip to other German linguists!

Thomas and teachers at the Salzburg salt mine

newsletterIssue No 11 | 2015-16 | Friday 6 May 2016

Follow us on Twitter: @SPFSchools

Coming up...

Careers Fair, Speed Dating and Workshops

Wednesday 11 May, 6th Form College, 7 - 9.00pm, for Year 9 to Upper 6th.

Follow this link for more information.

University Question TimeOpen to all in Year 9 to U6

Wednesday 15 June, 7.30pm - 8.45pmSenior School Hall

Paul Teulon, Director of Admissions at King’s College, London; Helen Waters-Marsh, Head of Schools’ Liaison at Nottingham University; Dr

Sam Lucy, Director of Admissions for Cambridge Colleges; Brendan Tighe, International Affairs

Manager at SciencesPo, France.We will be inviting questions shortly and

taking bookings!

PFA Masquerade BallThe PFA are hosting an exclusive ball at Girton College

on Saturday 2 July to fundraise for a new outdoor stage at the Senior School. The evening will include a 3 course meal, an auction, live band and lots more!

Limited tickets are still available, please see SchoolPost or email eds@stephenperse.com to reserve your tickets.